2010•Nanoscale and Microscale Thermophysical EngineeringRequires access
Design Evaluation for Performance Characteristics of a Novel Valveless Micropump
Kittisak Koombua, Ramana M. V. Pidaparti, P. Worth Longest, Gary Michael Atkinson
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Abstract
A novel valveless micropump consisting of three nozzle/diffuser elements with vibrating membranes at sidewalls has been investigated. The performance characteristics of the micropump were analyzed using commercial software, FLUENT. The simulation results showed that movement of membranes combined with the rectification behavior of three nozzle/diffuser elements can minimize backflow and improve net flow in one direction. The average flow rate from the micropump increased when the maximum membrane displacement and frequency increased. However, the average flow rate from the micropump decreased when pressure head increased. Based on its performance characteristics, the micropump is feasible and suitable to fabricate for practical applications.